If Jack Reacher is the reason you keep making room for one more thriller, a Lee Child conversation offers time with the writer who created him. His 2026 visits took him to Bloody Scotland and Cheltenham.
Child created the Jack Reacher thrillers, and his writing also includes short fiction and work about the series. The novels have reached readers internationally. He received the Author of the Year award at the 2019 British Book Awards, recognition within a career built around a continuing character and the stories that keep bringing readers back.
The current novels are written as a partnership. Chain Reaction, the latest book highlighted here, was published on 20 October 2026. It is a new Reacher adventure credited to both writers. Longtime fans can follow that collaboration while newcomers can begin with whichever story draws them in.
Where to start with their books
Killing Floor
Reacher arrives in a small Georgia town and is arrested after a murder. It is the opening novel, a direct introduction to the stranger whose arrival unsettles people with something to hide. Start here if you would like to meet the character at the beginning.
Persuader
A violent kidnapping draws Reacher into a case that reaches towards his past. Choose this if the tension between his urge to put a wrong right and the consequences of taking action is what keeps you turning the pages.
One Shot
An accused gunman asks for Reacher after a shooting seems to have been swiftly solved. The request is the invitation into a case with more to it than the police first see, a starting point for readers who enjoy questioning an apparently settled answer.
Festival appearances
For tickets, use the host festival’s official box office. Confirm the date, venue and access details before paying.
At Bloody Scotland on 18 September, fellow crime writer Denise Mina presented Lee at the Albert Halls in Stirling. A month later, on 18 October, he shared the stage with his brother Andrew in Cheltenham’s Times and Sunday Times Forum, two days before their new novel reached readers.
Where to see them next
No 2027 appearances announced yet. Check the festival guides for programme dates.
Plan your trip
Make a Reacher trip enjoyable for the reader you are travelling with: swap favourite books on the journey, but agree which endings are off limits. If you hope to ask a question, keep it to one idea about the writing, without giving away a solution to the rest of the room.
If taking a much-loved copy matters to you, ask the box office about signing before packing it. A chance to listen can be the whole point of the visit even without a signature. Leave a comfortable gap for a meal and the journey home; the festival guides below help you choose whether to stay overnight.
The 2026 programmes featured Lee Child at Bloody Scotland, Cheltenham Literature Festival; follow those guides for event information and practical visit details.
Do I need to read the Reacher books in order?
Penguin says the novels can generally be read in any order, although some form a connected sequence. The reading suggestions above give several entrances. Choose a premise that appeals, or begin with the first novel if you enjoy following a character from the start.
How do I buy tickets to hear Lee Child?
Book through the festival’s official box office. If more than one event appeals, choose the conversation you want before arranging the rest of the trip. Contact the organiser about a companion ticket or access support needed for that session.
Can I bring a book to be signed?
Ask the festival about signing and any limits on books before you travel. Do not make the journey depend on a signature unless the organiser confirms it. A familiar copy can stay at home while you enjoy hearing the writer in person.
Should I read the newest novel before going?
Read it if you want to and have time; a festival visit need not become a deadline. If you like a thriller’s surprises intact, avoid detailed reviews. You can still enjoy a conversation through your familiarity with earlier adventures.
